Do You LIVE in Limited Love or Lasting Love?

The measure of love is to love without measure. I believe that is true! In our world today, we have more diversity and differences than ever before, and we have more hate and crime against one another that is completely unnecessary and wrong!

We have the ability to travel to see other cultures and we see diversity in the workplace higher now than it has ever been. This should be a good thing! This allows us endless opportunities to have international business and social relationships, yet…sadly we also see that not all people are being treated equally or being given the same opportunities.

Let’s talk about the difference that I see in the two categories I have created. “Do You LIVE in Limited Love or Lasting Love?”  You might want to think of them in terms of conditional love and unconditional love. The reason that I have taken it to Limited Love verses Lasting Love instead of Unconditional and Conditional Love is that I feel there are more areas to be explored here.

I see limited love as having several parts. When we talk about limited anything, we are talking about having something withheld, perhaps having restrictions or expectations having to be met to be able to receive. This shows up in limited love as having conditions, such as if you do this then I will do that. Whenever we have restrictions or conditions to our love it creates limited love. Anytime there are expectations or requirements, it is creating barriers and restrictions which then limit our ability to love fully.

Here are several examples of this to allow you to see what I am talking about:

• Discrimination, racism, inequality, prejudice.
• People around you feel insignificant or unworthy
• Your child cannot play with a child down the street because they have a different belief system than you
• A child feels like they are not loved completely if their grades are not high enough, room picked up, chores done right, etc.
• People around you feel insignificant or unworthy
• Unrealistic Expectations
• People feel judged by you, even the first time meeting them.
• People feel less than when they are around you
• When you lack patience with someone
• Gossiping, back biting, being unsupportive and speaking ill of others
• When you jump to conclusions
• A Co-worker that drives you crazy
• Jealousy and Comparing to others
• Frustrations and losing your temper.
• Divorce or separation
• Any form of abuse

 

Even though that is quite a list, it is just a drop in the bucket. The easiest way to know if you are falling into the trap of limited love is to ask yourself this question: Will this end with lasting love? If the answer is no, you are in limited love. Now, before you go all AWOL on me, let me also say that you do need to place boundaries around you and your loved ones. You do need to be aware and proactive in protecting yourself from others that are not living in Lasting Love and make sure that safety is your first priority. But you also need to be on high alert to make sure that it is not just about you being in judgement and falling into the trap of Limited Love.

What is Lasting Love? My best definition is this:

• Love that lasts no matter what
• Completely unconditional and constant
• It is something that you not only say, but you do
• Shown through actions, as actions speak louder than words
• It is given freely, openly and consistently
• People feel it from you without even really knowing you
• Others want to be like you and are not sure why
• It is found in Sincere Service and being Outward focused
• Empathy, Humility, Honor, Sacrifice and Patience
• Forgiveness for others and for yourself
• Shown through Genuine Gratitude.

In breaking down this area with an acronym, I have used the word LIVE, because we really do have to LIVE in Lasting Love. Here is how I break down: “LIVE in Lasting Love”

Learn: Learn to live this way! Learn the lessons. Learn from experience. Learn a different way to be. Learn to accept others without judgement! Allow them to be different than you and to have a different opinion.

Inspire: We get to inspire others to live this way. The more you do it the more inspiring you are. Be an example. Inspire others to take a stand.

Vigilant: Be Vigilant in your efforts! Be watchful, observant, attentive, alert, and eagle-eyed, on the lookout, on one’s toes. Be vigilant in changing how you treat yourself and your relationships.

Endless: This is never-ending, forever, continuous in your efforts; constantly improving, always honoring. Be vigilant in constantly improving, always honoring. When we can embrace that this is an endless principle, we can build this in others.

We do feel love as we receive it from ourselves and others, yet if that feeling does not stay with us always, perhaps we need to investigate if it is conditional or unconditional. Unconditional Love is not just a feeling, it is an action. Many times, we give unconditional love to others, but we somehow forget to allow “ourselves” to be loved unconditionally. I feel that the single most important step to really loving unconditionally begins with you. We must allow ourselves to reap the benefits. This is critical. It will allow you to feel energized and liberated. If you are giving yourself conditional love you will feel burdened, guilty, heavy and drained.

We also must learn how to accept unconditional love. This can be hard at times. Our subconscious will go crazy and can create thoughts to come into our minds telling us all kinds of ideas that are not true and will try to get us to believe the wrong things. The more we love ourselves unconditionally, the more we can love others unconditionally. The more you trust and love yourself, the less you have those damaging thoughts or “hear those voices.”

Join me and watch the episode this week, “Do You LIVE in Limited Love or Lasting Love” to learn how I explain the acronym and give you more in depth discussion into how you can really learn the LIVE in Lasting Love concept and Change your life today! This is one of my 7 Traits and will assist you in moving your life and relationships to new levels. This really is a game changer!